This is September 14, 2001 when Nintendo Game Cubethe home console successor to the Nintendo 64 and a direct competitor to the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. The development codename of this machine was “Dolphin”, and its purpose was to correct the development difficulties of the Nintendo 64, aiming to create a hardware more suitable for developers. There are only three games on sale this time: “Luigi’s Mansion”, “Wave Race: Blue Storm” and “Super Monkey Ball”.
iconic console
This is what immediately struck us The beauty of the hardwareAlso won the 2002 Good Design Award: As the name suggests, the camera body is actually cube-shaped, a visually unconventional choice for the time. The compact size and rear handle even make it easy to carry, almost like a handbag.
What’s even more peculiar is Controller designin stark contrast to the console’s minimalism. Compared to the Nintendo 64’s already idiosyncratic keyboard, the GameCube’s keyboard is even more original: the right group of buttons are of varying sizes and shapes, and the color combination of green, red, and yellow is unforgettable. A large green A key in the center of the circle serves as a reference point, surrounded by small red B’s and gray oval X and Y keys arranged radially. Even the yellow analog stick, reserved for the right hand, is a different size and shape than the left.
Despite this unusual configuration, the controller turns out to be surprisingly intuitive: the variety of shapes allows you to identify the keys by touch without having to look at the keyboard.
25 years later, GameCube controllers are still lovedespecially among Super Smash Bros. players: Nintendo even made a dedicated version of “Smash Black” for Super Smash Bros. Special Edition on Switch, and today there is also a version designed specifically for Nintendo Switch 2, compatible with games from the Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics series.
Dolphin emulator is almost fully compatible with GameCube and Wii games
Another unique element is the GBA cable, which allows you to connect your Game Boy Advance to the console for additional functionality. The release of the Game Boy Advance in 2001 marked the first time Nintendo launched two new platforms in one year. The connection between the two machines gives life to new game mechanics: in The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords+, the Game Boy Advance acts as each player’s personal screen, while in Animal Crossing+ it allows you to reach an island with unique furniture and inhabitants that can only be reached through this connection. However, the need for a cable for each player limited its widespread popularity.
Although the launch lineup only featured three games, the GameCube catalog has since been enriched with many classic games: Super Smash Bros., Animal Crossing+, Super Mario Sunshine, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker“Chibi Robot!” “, “Kirby Sky Journey”, “Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door”, “Pikmin”, “Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance”, etc.